§ Mr. BENNETT-GOLDNEYasked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether he will state if the shortage of medical officers in the Royal Medical Corps at the present time is less than it was twelve months ago; and what is the shortage according to the latest available figures in all grades, from inspector-general down to the junior surgeons?
§ The PARLIAMENTARY SECRETARY to the ADMIRALTY (Dr. Macnamara)The shortage is practically the same as it was twelve months ago—twenty have entered and twenty-two have gone, owing to retirements or deaths. The shortage is sixty of all ranks.
§ Mr. BENNETT-GOLDNEYasked the First Lord of the Admiralty if he will state what are the names of the service and other members of the consultative board of the Royal Medical Corps; whether this committee has hitherto been habitually called together to carry out the work entrusted to it during the customary working hours of the Admiralty staff, or has it been called together on an officially appointed early closing day, and after normal closing hours; and at what hour does this committee meet now, and on what day?
§ Dr. MACNAMARAThe names of the members of the Medical Consultative Board are as follows:—
§ President.—The Medical Director-General of the Navy.
§ Civilian Members.—Sir W. Watson Cheyne, Sir Dyce Duckworth, Professor W. J. R. Simpson.
§ Naval Member.—Surgeon-General Howard Todd.
§ Secretary.—Fleet-Surgeon James L. Smith.
§ The Admiralty has no officially appointed early closing day. The Medical Consultative Board is called together when occasion arises and usually meets about 5 p.m., as that hour has been ascertained to be most convenient for the civilian members, irrespective of Admiralty working hours. There are no routine meetings—they take place as and when found necessary.
§ Mr. BENNETT-GOLDNEYAre we to understand that Saturday is the day usually chosen?
§ Dr. MACNAMARANo; I am not aware that it is Saturday. They meet when most convenient to the members.